A Complete Guide to Pros and Cons of Standing Desk

Standing Desk is usually a new concept compared to the conventional office desks that we are used to seeing in corporate offices. However, their rising popularity is due to the numerous benefits that they provide to people who want to stay healthy and active. To compare the balance between the pros and cons of a standing desk, the article will list all the standing desk benefits and risks you need to know. In the end, you will also learn some great tips to make the most out of your standing desk.

Pros and Cons of Standing Desk

Pros of Standing Desks

Keeps You Active

One of the biggest standing desk pros is the fact that it keeps you active. When you spend time standing, you allow your blood to flow to your legs as well, which makes you feel less tired. Moreover, sitting for long hours is also linked to cardiovascular diseases and metabolic illnesses, which standing desks eliminate to some extent.

Helps You Change Postures

While working, changing postures is essential. Neither prolonged sitting nor prolonged standing is beneficial for your health, so you must change positions every hour. Spend some time standing and then sit down to relax your muscles.

Burns Calories

People facing overweight issues are highly recommended to spend more time working while standing. According to the Journal of Physical Activity and Health, people who worked while standing burned more calories than people who worked while sitting. Even though the difference was minor, as only 8 more calories were burnt per hour by people who were standing, however, if we consider it in the long term, you can lose around 64 additional calories a day.

Set Presets

One of the standing desk pros is that you can change your presets for standing desk height. Many desks allow you to set at least three presets, while some don't offer the feature at all. If you get a standing desk with the preset feature, make sure to find the ideal desk height that matches the monitor and your eye level and save the settings.

Variety of Sizes

Fortunately, you will find numerous sizes and designs on the standing desk for various uses. For instance, you will find gaming standing desks, L-shaped standing desks, and basic workstations for office use as well. However, when you search the market, make sure you check standing desk ergonomics before selecting one for your office.

Improves Blood Flow and Spinal Structure

When you constantly change your position, blood flows throughout your body to increase energy levels and make you feel fresh. On the other hand, your spinal structure is also affected by the position you choose to work in. The truth behind standing desk is that it keeps your spine straighter as you have a more upright posture, reducing the risks of getting back pain issues.

Helps People with Back Pain

Maintaining the right balance between sitting and standing can help you alleviate back pain. Most people with back pain issues can’t sit for long hours in a similar position, regardless of how good their body posture is. Standing can help lower the pressure on your lower spine and neck, reducing the risk of intense pain after working all day.

Cons of Standing Desks

Expensive

One of the major cons of a standing desk is that it is extremely expensive compared to a conventional work desk for an office. The higher price is due to an additional motor attached to lift the tabletop up and down.

Limited Storage

Most standing desks you will find in the market are manufactured with a primary focus on versatility and ergonomics rather than storage space. So, keep in mind that your standing desk won’t include a good number of cabinets and storage boxes to store files and other documents. However, the table top will be big enough to fit in all the accessories.

Sore Feet and Varicose Veins

When you stand for a lot longer than your legs can hold, you might start noticing swelling on the surface of your skin. This is known as varicose veins, which happen due to the lack of blood reaching back up from the bottom. On the other hand, it is necessary that you wear comfortable footwear as well, or else your feet may start feeling sore after some time.

Not Ideal for Older Office Workers

If you are a senior employee above 40, a standing desk might not be an ideal choice for you. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t use a standing desk at all, but using it in the standing position for only 5 to 10 minutes every hour would be enough.

Tips for Making the Most of Your Standing Desk

Now that you have understood all the standing desk benefits and risks, here are some of the tips you can use to minimize the effects of the cons mentioned in this article.

Set a Sit-Stand Schedule

The first thing you should do is to set a sit-stand schedule. The schedule depends on various factors, such as age, physical health, etc. If you are in your early 20s or 30s with a healthy body, you are advised to spend half or 2/3 of your time standing at work.

Get an Anti-Fatigue Mat

Anti-fatigue mat, as the name suggests, can be used to make work while standing much less tiring. These mats are designed to improve the blood flow and reduce the discomfort while standing. Moreover, you can also use these mats if you are suffering from lower back pain or leg problems.

Use Arm Support

An arm support with a standing desk is an ideal way of reducing the pressure on your arms while holding the mouse or keyboard. It also helps in alleviating shoulder and neck pain.

Adjust Eye and Screen Level

Your screen should be slightly below your eye level so that your spine is at its natural position. Make sure that you are not tilting or bending your neck in order to look at the screen.

Make a Combo with Standing Desk and Treadmill

Fitness enthusiasts can go one step ahead and choose a standing desk treadmill, allowing them to run while working on their laptop.

Conclusion

The article discusses all the pros and cons of standing desks in detail, with a brief guide on how you can make the most out of your standing desk. Use the information above and follow the tips carefully to boost your productivity and efficiency at work with the help of an ergonomic standing desk.